BERENDSEN, Alijda

Age 101 years, born June 7, 1920, in Rotterdam, Netherlands, the daughter of Jan Derk and Hillegonda (nee Van de Zuidwind) Kraayenbrink, passed away May 4th at the Mahone Nursing Home, Mahone Bay. Alijda, her husband Chris Berendsen and her two sons, for a better life and future, in 1955 immigrated to Canada, where she resided in Bedford, for some 50 years. Besides her work, she was primarily focused on family and a special group of friends. She loved nothing better than to entertain at her dinner or card table in the presence of family and friends, while providing a listening ear, an open mind and enthusiastic encouragement for those that needed it. In addition to her two sons, John Sieliakus (Jackie), Lower Sackville, and Christiaan Berendsen (Don Glover), Mahone Bay; she is also survived by her grandchildren, Janderk (Shelly), Cassandra and Samantha Sieliakus, Lower Sackville, and Tanya Sieliakus of Bedford; great grandchild Aleida Bourne, Dartmouth. She is also survived by special nephews, Dirk Deurmeijer of Ottawa, Ont., and Nick Berendsen (Tammy), Lower Sackville; nieces Barb Hooper of Bedford, and Sylvia Berendsen of Calgary Alta., as well as many other nephews and nieces, in both Canada and Holland. She was also the last survivor of a special group of Dutch friends, all of whom immigrated to Canada in the 1950’s. She was predeceased by her first husband Cornelius Sieliakus; and first-born son, Johannes Sieliakus; both of whom died in 1945; and her second husband, Chris Berendsen, who passed away at age 91 in 2016. She was also predeceased by her brothers, Wim, Jan and Piet Kraaijenbrink; sisters Ton Kraaijenbrink and Gonnie (Kaaijenbrink) Houdeman (the latter also passed away on May 4th, age 98). Alijda, being a lifelong dog lover, in lieu of flowers, would have preferred donations be made to the Shaid Animal Shelter of Lunenburg County, or any animal shelter of your choice. Also, a special thanks to the staff of Mahone Nursing Home for their kindness in taking care of our mother for the past few years. Online condolences may be made at: www.atlanticfuneralhomes.com Sackville Chapel